Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has cemented his place among Africa's athletics greats by becoming the first African athlete to surpass the 22-meter mark in the men’s shot put.
The 31-year-old threw an African record of 22.10 meters at the Eugene Diamond League, smashing his previous personal best of 21.91 meters, which he also set at the same event in 2024.
Enekwechi’s remarkable throw earned him a third-place finish in a highly competitive field. Joe Kovacs of the United States won the event with a world-leading mark of 22.48 meters, while Roger Steen narrowly edged out Enekwechi for second place with a personal best of 22.11 meters, achieved on his fifth attempt.
Enekwechi attempted to reclaim second position with his final throw, but managed a distance of 21.68 meters.
Despite narrowly missing out on second place, Enekwechi’s performance marks a historic moment for African athletics, as he becomes the first athlete from the continent to throw beyond 22 meters in the event.
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